Wichita eagle., 1887-11-12

not an Anarchist, Socialist or Communist
but a plain, everyday American citizen,
but candidly believe that the contents of
the affidavit are true"
Captain Black left at 9 tonight for Spring
field, after wiring the New York lawyer to
leave there at once for the same point
CHICAGO, Nov. 1.-THE following note
was sent to the sheriff last night:
Sir:-You are hereby notified that an
order of writ mandate from the clerk of
the supreme court Of Illinois directing that
the execution by hanging of August Spies,
November II, 1887, is imperative, illegal
and void, and that it is issued and based
upon illegal, Irregular and void so-called
judgment. You are further notified that
If you shall attempt to carry pending order
into execution as directed by said pended or
der you will be held legally responsible for
murder, and civil responsibility for cause
of death of Spies. Hereof take due notice.
(SIGNED) w. '. BLACK,
NJ W. SOLOMON.
Attorneys for August Spies
CHICAGO, Nov. 11.-Coffins in which to
deposit the bodies of the condemned men
after execution were brought from the
county hospital at 3:15 a. m, and carried
into the jail. At O'Clock 300 policemen
armed with rifles, bayonets and revolvers
and full cartridge boxes We're on duty at the
Jail. Chief Ebersol in command in person.
bard and Setback: battalion of three COM
panies Of police that have been qudrtered
in the Jail and criminal court building
since the new orders went into force will
do duty inside these buildings today. Off
GERS in command have been instructed how
to dispose of their men. detail having been
made for every advantageous post. In ad-
dition to the battalion on the inside there
Will be force on the outside composed OF
a company from each of the Ave precincts.
commanded by heutenants and three
companies from central detail. This
force will surround the entire block
in which the Jail is situated, which, in aG
dition to cordons of police, will be Enclosed
by ropes The entire force will be held in
the position described until as late in the
day as may be thought wise. Members of
the police department not on duty at the
jail will be held in reserve at the various
stations in readiness for use at a moments
notice. Detectives will be stationed out
side the police lines and will mingle with
the crowd
At O'Clock Spies, Fisher, Parsons and
Engel were in their heaviest slumbers.
Spies lay on one side, his head on one arm
and slept peacefully as babe. Fischer
turned on his back and in consequence he
frequently let out a snore that echoed in
startling manner through the silent corri
ders of the building Engel slept as Par
dreams were coursing through mis- mind.
All other common prisoners located in the
series Of cells facing north and which com
mand partial view Of the scaTfold are
marched in the series facing south where
not glimpse of the execution can be
mad.
The gallows for the present
hanging are located in the extreme
mort beast corner OF the cell-roon they are
the largest ever erected in Cook county.
They were originally built for the swing
ing OF the Italians. At the time the muir
derers were hung the trap was made
to comfortably hold three men, but ts &C
the anarchists. ii mas been
TO the entent of TWO feet ana a
half IN width. To reach the scai1oid, the
men who are to be executed are escorted !
from the Jail Office through the lower cor
rider of the cell room 10 the stairway
which leads to the second tier. This Is
distance of teS feot from the ground floor
and the platform of the gall0ws l. even
with this floor The woodwork of the in !
strument of death Is painted or rather |
stained. very dull reddish brown. In a
little sentry box located just back OF the |
trap is stationed who really is the execu- |
TONER Into this box extends a rope. At
a given signal an unknown man cuts !
the rope with brand new
and especially snarpened chIseI, I
the Cni>fl Win q Hfdlltt- DOWN. /
goes the trap a distance OF six feet and at !
the same time the murderers are launched |
into eternity
Some time after midnight Parsons com 1
planned OF the mum of conversation IN the |
Jail office, which annoyed and prevented
MIN from sleeping. The wooden door 1
which hangs on the Office side Of the heavy /
bars was closed and the anarchist dropped /
into uneasy slUm5eT.
On the streets around policemen paced !
their beats and all VINO had 20 business IN /
that neighbOrhood We're peremptoTsly or 4
iered 20 move and # they did not move n 4
once they were arrested On Michigan 4
street in front OF the main Ell rance 4
through which all VINO enter mus pas.
the opening j. guarded by heavy do15le 4
med By paddock and chan
within doors stands two
tTIsty policemen armed with breech-load-
ng rifles ana carrying > rounds each A
stop sounds in the outer yestlnlUer snd
rom watchful sentTies comes stern who
,omes there" A voice responds from he
1Itside, then ysadiock OPEN chains
-atties and door parts a few inche1 and
survey IL made BIZ guard Of indiFlG1s.- II
ais credentials ara satisfactory the doors
lre opened sufficiently Cor biIn 20 pass al
inside other guards BEARING r11ss move
,bouf over oiled floor and al tie
,ead Of the wide stairway leading
% the upper floor the rIuzzle q ioasfesf
fife in the hands OF an osiso<r projects over
he steps The court EooE1s 4i>cse
Ire occupied by several CON
,snies Of policemen WITH whole
arsenal Of ueapoas and ammunition On
he roof az numerous s-ETrses Yea1y 70
,pen on any supicious looking individuals